SEMO takes OVC-opening doubleheader from Tech

Mar 21, 2009

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team came
into Saturday’s conference-opening doubleheader against
Southeast Missouri looking for revenge against a Redhawk team that
eliminated the Golden Eagles from last year’s conference
tournament.

But, Tech didn’t find it, as SEMO took both games Saturday,
winning 14-2 and 4-3 in Bush Stadium, with the final game of the
series to be played Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Golden Eagles (10-7) opened the day strong, taking a 2-0 lead
into the fourth inning, while starting pitcher A.J. Kirby-Jones
didn’t give up a hit. But in the fourth frame the SEMO (12-8)
bats woke up in a big way, as the Redhawks scored two runs in the
fourth, one in the fifth, four in the sixth, two in the eight, and
five in the ninth, all unanswered, to capture the 14-2 victory.

Louie Hastletine led the way for SEMO in that game, coming in to
pinch hit in the sixth inning. Hastletine hit a grand slam in his
first at-bat, but wasn’t finished, , as he hit an RBI double
and a two run homer later in the game, finishing 3-for-3 from the
plate with seven RBIs.

Kirby-Jones pitched five innings, allowing three runs, and striking
out four batters in the loss. Kyle Gumieny earned the win for SEMO,
pitching 5 and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs.

In the second half of the double header the Golden Eagles found
themselves in a close game, tied 3-3 heading into the sixth of a
seven inning game. The Redhawks took a 4-3 lead in the sixth
inning, and although Tech threatened in the bottom of the sixth and
seventh, couldn’t get a run home, falling 4-3.

Chad Oberacker led Tech on the day, going 4-for-9 from the plate
with an RBI. Trice Powers, Kirby-Jones and Alex Henry each had
three hits. Oberacker and Henry each extended their hit streaks to
five games.

Tech was picked by the OVC coaches to finish in fifth place in the
Ohio Valley Conference, one place behind SEMO, which was picked
fourth. Pitchers for Sunday’s game have not been
announced.

The Golden Eagles continue OVC play next weekend against defending
OVC champion Eastern Illinois in Charleston after a pair of
non-conference mid-week games at Belmont on March. 24 and at home
against Middle Tennessee on March 25.